If you’re in Hong Kong and are looking for an alternative way to cool down this summer, a visit to one of the city’s many public pools is definitely worth considering. From a dazzling infinity pool with spectacular sea views to the world’s fastest waterslides, there is certainly no shortage of swimming options around town.
If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to head out early in the morning or on a weekday. Otherwise, expect to be sharing the space with hordes of locals and their families. The newest complex in Taipo is particularly beautiful, offering several different lanes for lap swimmers and an indoor/outdoor area that makes it perfect even on the hottest days.
Almost every district has at least one public swimming pool, and there are a handful of multi-pool complexes that are ideal for family outings. Some of these also have slides and other fun activities for children, making them the perfect choice for a day spent splashing around with the whole clan.
While the older pools may be a little run-down, newer facilities have been built to replace them in recent years. In particular, the Victoria Park complex has a 50-metre main pool, a diving platform and the largest swimming pool spectator stand in the country, capable of accommodating up to 2,500 people.
In addition to providing a welcome respite from the blazing sun, public swimming pools are also a great place to practice your Chinese. The majority of locals swim in the open air, and it’s not uncommon to hear them conversing in Cantonese as they enjoy their time at the water’s edge.
The only downside is that some of the pools are closed due to lack of lifeguards. This is the result of the government’s recent decision to downsize the workforce of the LCSD, which oversees the city’s public pools and sports centres. The move has left 20 public pools and 500 licensed private pools affected, reports the HK Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union. The union has contacted swimming training institutions to warn that some of their pools might not open this month.
If you’re visiting Hong Kong, make sure you bring a towel and goggles to stay safe in the water, as well as some shampoo, body wash, and a lock for your locker at the changing room. It’s also useful to have an Octupus card on hand, which can be loaded with HK$ and utilised for the MTR and some of the city’s many public swimming pools that require a fee on entry. You can also use it to pay for food and drinks at some restaurants and bars near the pools. Having the Octupus card will also save you from having to carry lots of cash when shopping in HK. You can purchase an Octupus card at most MTR stations and some convenience stores. In some cases, you can even use it to buy groceries at certain supermarkets.